-BBC Television News, and BBC Radio World Service on 22nd and 23rd of March, 1988
- He becomes a professional assassin by the age of 18. He joins a radical movement known as the Baath Party. At the age of 20, he attempts hit on President Qassem, and is exiled from Iraq.
- 4 years later, military leaders execute the president. These military leaders were in turn executed by Saddam’s former best friend, Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr; who then took control of Iraq in 1963.
- Al-Bakr appoints Hussein Vice-Chairman of Revolutionary Council. For ten years, Hussein builds support in government and as seen as ‘the man who makes Iraq succeed.’
- July 16, 1979 – Saddam Hussein takes over Revolutionary council, Armed Forces, and Presidency of Iraq. Al-
Bakr is put under house arrest, where he remains until is suspicious death in 1982.
- Hussein immediately purges the governmentt and Baath party, public hangings and mass executions result.
- Over 500 top-ranking political officials are executed by military; one third of the revolutionary command council are executed as well.
- Within two years, hundreds of Kurds are executed and the two leaders of Muslim opposition are executed. Iraq also involves itself in a major war with Iran over territorial disputes. The Iraqi military is sixth-largest in the world, and 3x the size of Iran’s. At this time, Hussein orders military advancement of biological, chemical, nuclear, and missile technology.
- By June 1981, Iraq has largest biological & chemical stockpiles in the world, has extensive long-range missile programme, and has acquired weapons-grade nuclear material and nuclear programme. Without contention, Iraq has the largest supply of weapons of mass destruction.
- There is a failed execution of Saddam: Baath purges government and military, replaces with Hussein family; Hussein expels 40 000 Muslims under threat.
- March 1984 – The world is shocked by the first use of chemical weapons since WWII. Within one year, Iraqi units begin to use chemical weapons routinely on Iranian troops and cities. Iraq is the only country in the world to do so since.
- 1988 – As Iraqi troops withdraw from Iran, they immediately move north to resume cleansing of Kurds, Jews and Muslims. Atrocity estimates range from the hundreds to the thousands of civilians mass-murdered by military. In command of these forces is Saddam’s own cousin.
- March 1988 – Town of Halajba, surrounded for weeks, is attacked with Sarin and VX gas. 5000 civilians are killed. 10 000 injured. The order was given by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces, Saddam Hussein. VX gas is also used on civilian towns in the Bassay Valley later that year. This is the first recorded use of chemical weapons against civilians in world history.
- Several international journalists are accused of spying by the Iraqi government and publicly executed, deterring international journalism.
- August 2, 1990 – After Saddam condemned Kuwait for its overproduction of oil (stating it damaged Iraq’s economy) Iraq invades Kuwait. The royal family escapes, spare one brother who insists and remains to discuss terms with Iraqi Commander. That commander promptly executes him on the steps of the palace. Hussein states that he was invited to remove a corrupt regime, and that he would leave within weeks. Two months later, Saddam retracts that statement and invites the annexed Kuwait to ‘enjoy her freedom.’ The country was looted; Jews and Kurds were the subject of public executions, and schools were converted into torture centres, and the national ice rink became a morgue. Approximately 5000 Kuwaitis were executed, and stories of sex slaves, crucifixions, rape and murder flowed from those who escaped the city.
- January 25, 1991 – In the midst of a international UN coalition, Hussein orders the destruction of Kuwait’s oil production capability. Major oil pipelines re-routed to Persian Gulf; severe ecological damage caused by millions of gallons of oil being dumped into sea and oil well fires.
- February 27, 1991 – Iraq withdraws from Kuwait as Iraq accepts UN Resolutions 687 & 688, recognizing Kuwait’s sovereignty, allowing for UN no-fly zones in North(Kurds) and South(Kuwait), promising to end all atrocities against its own people and allow oppressed Kurds to move into Kurdistan in North under allied protection, to dismantle weapons of mass destruction and allow unrestricted UN weapons inspections teams, and to make reparations to Kuwaitis.
- Today, Iraq has systematically disobeyed each of the UN’s resolutions.
- Subsequent referendums have seen the Iraqi people elect Saddam Hussein with percentages of 99% and 100% in 2002, despite allegations that the elections were fixed. Note that Iraqi law prevents any other party from presenting a political contender for President, unless this is condoned by the Revolutionary Command Council and the President.